For December 2014 alone, the Port moved 567,237 TEUs through the harbor, a 2.6 percent decrease compared to December 2013. Imports dropped 5.1 percent to 276,516 TEUs. Exports fell 11.2 percent to 131,496 TEUs. Empties rose to 159,225 TEUs, an increase of 11.5 percent.

Port officials attributed the growth in 2014 overall to strong relationships with the shipping industry.

“This is the third straight year that imports have climbed. We could not have achieved our third-busiest year in our history without the support from our longtime business partners,” said Jon Slangerup, Port of Long Beach Chief Executive.

The Port of Long Beach continues to invest long term and is now five years into a decade-long, $4 billion program to modernize its facilities.